Device for automatically parking motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for automatically parking motor vehicles, comprising a conveyor device, which acts between at least one station for rendering and/or removing a motor vehicle and a plurality of parking spaces, the parking spaces being arranged in a matrix-like manner, being occupied by conveyor pallets that can be moved in the transverse and longitudinal direction and that are used for parking, and having at least one free space without a conveyor pallet for moving the conveyor pallets, and the conveyor device being constructed of conveyor modules that can be lined up in a modular manner in the longitudinal and transverse direction and that comprise a longitudinal conveyor unit, a transverse conveyor unit, and optionally a lifting drive. Said device is characterized in that at least one conveyor pallet has an energy supply device, in particular an electrical power supply device, and in that an energy store, in particular a battery, of a motor vehicle that can be driven by an electric motor can be charged by the energy supply device.

The invention relates to a device for automatically parking motor vehicles, comprising a conveyor device, which acts between at least one station for rendering and/or removing a motor vehicle and a plurality of parking spaces, the parking spaces being arranged in a matrix-like manner, being occupied by conveyor pallets that can be moved in the transverse and longitudinal directions and that are used for parking, and having at least one free space—without a conveyor pallet—for moving the conveyor pallets, and the conveyor device being constructed of conveyor modules that can be lined up in a modular manner in the longitudinal and transverse directions and that comprise a longitudinal conveyor unit, a transverse conveyor unit and optionally a lifting device.

Devices for parking motor vehicles in the most varied embodied forms are known from practice. Aside from conventional parking garages with and without cargo lifts for motor vehicles, there exist parking structures with lifting devices where two parking spaces are arranged one on top of the other, as well as parking facilities having only linearly arranged parking spaces. In total, the goal of any technical effort to date has been to optimally utilize any available pre-existing area for motor vehicle parking operations.

DE 44 47 118 C2 specifies a device of this class having a conveyor device that operates between a station for rendering and removing a motor vehicle as well as a plurality of parking spaces. In the known system, the parking spaces are arranged in the manner of a matrix and occupied by a transversely and longitudinally movable conveyor device serving for the parking operation. Providing for at least one free space allows for the possibility of moving the conveyor pallets in the longitudinal and transverse directions, wherein a joint powering drive is allocated to the longitudinal conveyor unit and the transverse conveyor unit of a conveyor module. If necessary, a conveyor module comprises a lifting device. An electronic computing system embodied by way of a PC is provided for controlling any movement and for administering the conveyor pallets. A software resides inside the PC that moves each of the conveyor pallets following a mathematical algorithm, while taking the most direct route, from any parking position to the vehicle-removing station.

The known system serves for an automated motor vehicle parking operation, while engaging in a space-saving utilization of the available parking area. The system therein is primarily predestined for use in conjunction with conventional motor vehicles that are powered by a combustion engine. However, since road traffic has morphed into a substantially increased burden on the environment, due to noise and exhaust gas pollution, especially in densely populated metropolitan areas, alternate drive concepts, such as, for example, electrically powered cars or hybrids, have become good alternatives to conventional-type power systems. For electrically powered cars, it is problematic, however, that currently available and used accumulator or storage batteries, respectively, require long charging times of up to ten hours, while allowing only for a minimal range. Consequently, the mobility of these vehicles is limited in everyday application and use.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a system for an automated motor vehicle parking operation of the kind as presently specified embodying and improving the same such that there results a beneficial effect on the mobility of electrically powered cars.

According to the invention, first of all, it was found that it is enormously advantageous if the energy store of the motor vehicle is charged as soon as the car is standing and no longer in use. A parking garage seems to be an obvious solution. A prevalent prejudice in the expert community whereby mobile conveyor pallets could not be expedient as charging stations is thus refuted. According to the invention, in fact, at least one conveyor pallet includes an energy supply device, particularly a power supply device. This ensures that an energy store, particularly an accumulator battery, of an electrically powered vehicle is chargeable by the energy supply device. After the motor vehicle has been rendered at the rendering station, all that is necessary is for the energy store of the motor vehicle to be coupled to the energy supply device of the conveyor pallet. Advantageously, the power output could be variable, depending on the energy store.

Consequently, an embodiment of the system according to the invention is achieved that counteracts the restricted mobility of electrically powered motor vehicles.

Advantageously, the conveyor pallet can include a current consumer for picking off electrical power from a current-carrying line. The current-carrying line can be routed underneath the conveyor pallet. A current-carrying line that is disposed along the ceiling of the system, for example, routed laterally or above the same, is also conceivable. Corresponding to the course of the current-carrying line, the current consumer is disposed on the bottom, the edge or above of the conveyor pallet.

Regarding a concrete embodiment of the current-carrying line, particularly for track-guided conveyor pallets, the same can be configured as a power rail. This ensures a reliable electrical energy supply to the conveyor pallet.

For picking off electrical power, the current consumer can advantageously include sliding contacts, contact shoes, shoes, contact strips, trolley wheels, collector bows, etc. The current consumers can be manufactured of impact-resistant plastic and non-corroding materials, wherein the current consumption occurs by means of carbon strips.

To ensure a durable and safe power supply to the conveyor pallet, that can, aside from being movable in the transverse and longitudinal directions, also be moved upward and/or downward, the current consumer can be embodied as pivotable.

Especially advantageously, it is possible to transfer control commands and/or data by means of the current consumer and the current-carrying line, such as, for example, the power rail. Conceivable therein are identification characteristics and/or place coordinates of the respective conveyor module for control units of the conveyor module. Furthermore, it is possible to transmit status changes and check bits, as well as implement parameter adjustments. However, it is also possible to transmit data with regard to power consumption, particularly used power data for a parked car on the respective conveyor pallet, by means of the mated current consumer/power rail.

For a configuration providing functional simplicity and space-saving effects, it is possible to advantageously integrate the energy supply device in the floor of the conveyor pallet.

For easy coupling of the energy supply device to the motor vehicle, it is possible for the energy supply device to include a connector. The connector can be configured as a socket or a built-in connector plug.

In terms of its construction, the energy supply device can include a connector, preferably a plug or a coupling, wherein the connector is configured on the end of a cable, particularly a pull-out cable.

The concrete embodiment of any connector and any coupling of the energy supply device to a motor vehicle that is achieved consequent thereto basically also depends on the configuration of the hook-up that is present on the motor vehicle and that is to be supplied with energy. Conceivably, manufacturers of such electrically powered motor vehicles could come to agree on and/or determine a uniform, standardized, hook-up. Otherwise, a charging adapter for the respective car could ensure that the same is coupled to the energy supply device via a connector.

Regarding an embodiment not requiring maintenance and that is free of wear and tear, it is advantageous for the energy store of a motor vehicle to be chargeable by the energy supply device using magnetic induction. The energy supply device can include a power rail, wherein the power rail is integrated in the floor of the conveyor pallet. Advantageously, the power rail can be raised from its position in the floor in order to minimize the distance relative to the motor vehicle, thereby increasing the charging performance. Electromagnetic coupling therein can occur via an air gap.

Furthermore, the energy supply device can advantageously also include a current-carrying line, i.e. a charging rail, wherein the charging rail is disposed in such a way above the conveyor pallet in the immediate proximity of the energy store of a motor vehicle, or it can be disposed there, advantageously in an automated fashion.

Advantageously, the energy between the energy supply device and the energy store can be transmitted in a contactless fashion.

In addition or in the alternative, it would be conceivable for the energy to be transmitted between the energy supply device and the energy store in a contact-bound manner. For example, to ensure close positioning of the primary coil and the secondary coil during energy transmission by means of magnetic induction, it is possible for the power supply device to dock to the motor vehicle, such as, for example, by means of plastic shoes or something similar. Docking and undocking, for example, to a charging rail on the motor vehicle, can be automated therein.

Furthermore, conceivably, the conveyor pallet has a plurality of connecting possibilities to a single energy supply device or even a plurality of energy supply devices. For example, in the front and in the rear of the conveyor pallet, it would be possible to provide an access to an energy supply device or, respectively, its own energy supply device in order to couple or connect, respectively, the motor vehicle as easily as possible and without complexity to the power supply, especially independently of the direction in which the car is parked. Moreover, the conveyor pallet could include a plurality of different energy supply devices in order to be able to accommodate different-type power connections/power supplies on motor vehicles.

Furthermore, parking spaces for higher-dimensioned motor vehicles, such as, for example, delivery trucks, RVs, sports utility trucks, etc. are advantageously envisioned. To be able to achieve a flawless space assignment, it is advantageous for the motor vehicle to be measured, in a non-contacting manner, already at the time when the vehicle is checked in, and the necessary space and height is taken into consideration when parking the same.

Furthermore, principally, it is conceivable for the conveyor pallet to be configured as a cabin conveyor. The cabin conveyor can be configured as partially open or having the possibility of being open, particularly toward the side and/or the top.

The current consumer can advantageously be disposed in the upper region, preferably on the top side, of the cabin conveyor. The current consumer therein is in contact with a power rail that is routed above the cabin conveyor.

An energy meter can be provided for the purpose of billing any power charges that are incurred by the conveyor pallet and/or cabin conveyor. Any related billing data and/or power usage data can be transmitted by means of the mated current consumer/power rail, also, however, via WLAN, a wireless means, etc.

Especially advantageously, a diagnostic system is provided for the preferably contactless reading of diagnostic data of a motor vehicle. The diagnostic system can detect diagnostic data regarding the charging status of the energy store, the currently still-available range of the motor vehicle, for example, by means of a wireless connection.

A billing system is provided for comfortable and easy billing of parking and/or power charges, wherein the customer and/or driver is provided with information regarding the motor vehicle, preferably based on the diagnostic data. This way, at the time of rendering of the motor vehicle in the device, the customer can be informed of the charging status of the energy store and/or the current range of the vehicle car such as, for example, by means of a display unit, a printout and/or a ticket. In addition, the customer can be offered different charging options, such as, for example, by means of a touch screen. Payment for any used or booked services, respectively, can finally be collected by means of the parking ticket.

Furthermore, a changing station and/or a lifting table can be provided for the automated replacement of the accumulator and/or storage battery.

Finally, it should be noted that the embodiments that have been described above are only exemplary illustrations for discussing the claimed teaching according to the invention and do not limit the scope of preceding comments in any way. 

1-22. (canceled)
 23. A system for automatically parking motor vehicles, comprising a conveyor device, which acts between at least one station for rendering and/or removing a motor vehicle and a plurality of parking spaces, wherein the parking spaces are arranged in a matrix-like manner, being occupied by conveyor pallets that can be moved in the transverse and longitudinal directions and that are used for parking, and having at least one free space—without a conveyor pallet—for moving the conveyor pallets, wherein the conveyor device is constructed of conveyor modules that can be lined up in a modular manner in the longitudinal and transverse directions and that comprise a longitudinal conveyor unit, a transverse conveyor unit and optionally a lifting device, wherein at least one conveyor pallet includes an energy supply device, particularly a power supply device, and wherein an energy store, particularly a battery, of a motor vehicle that can be driven by an electric motor can be charged by the energy supply device.
 24. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein the conveyor pallet includes a current consumer for picking off electrical energy from a current-carrying line.
 25. The automated parking system according to claim 24, wherein power rails are provided as current-carrying lines.
 26. The automated parking system according to claim 24, wherein the current consumer includes sliding contacts, sliding shoes, shoes, contact strips, trolley wheels, sliding bows, etc. as pick-off means.
 27. The automated parking system according to claim 24, wherein the current consumer is configured as pivotable.
 28. The automated parking system according to claim 24, wherein control commands and/or data can be transmitted by means of the current consumer and the current-carrying line.
 29. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein the energy supply device is integrated in the floor of the conveyor pallet.
 30. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein the energy supply device includes a connector, preferably a socket or a built-in plug.
 31. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein the energy supply device includes a connector, preferably a plug or a coupling, wherein the plug is disposed at the end of a cable, particularly a pull-out cable.
 32. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein the energy store of the motor vehicle can be charged by the energy supply device using magnetic induction.
 33. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein the energy supply device includes a current-carrying rail, a charging rail, wherein the charging rail is disposed or can be disposed such above the conveyor pallet that it is in immediate proximity of the energy store of a motor vehicle.
 34. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein energy can be transmitted in a contactless manner between the energy supply device and the energy store.
 35. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein energy can be transmitted in a contact-bound manner between the energy supply device and the energy store.
 36. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein the conveyor pallet includes a plurality of energy supply devices.
 37. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein parking spaces for higher-dimensioned vehicles, such as, for example, delivery trucks, RVs, etc., are envisioned.
 38. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein the conveyor pallet is configured as a cabin conveyor.
 39. The automated parking system according to claim 37, wherein the cabin conveyor is configured as partially open with the possibility of being open, particularly to the side and/or toward the top.
 40. The automated parking system according to claim 38, wherein the current consumer is disposed in the upper region of the cabin conveyor, preferably in the ceiling.
 41. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein an electricity meter is provided for the conveyor pallet.
 42. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein a diagnostic system is provided, preferably for the contactless reading of diagnostic data of the motor vehicle, particularly the charging status, range, etc.
 43. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein a billing system for billing parking and/or electricity charges is provided, wherein information regarding the motor vehicle, particularly the charging status of the energy store and/or current range of the motor vehicle, can be provided and corresponding charging options can be booked.
 44. The automated parking system according to claim 23, wherein a changing station or a lifting table are provided for the preferably automated battery replacement. 